Who Should I Start? Michael Burton or Keaton Mitchell

Wednesday, March 26, 2:35 PM

The Denver Broncos are re-signing fullback Michael Burton for the 2025 campaign, according to team reporter Zac Stevens. Burton was originally a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2015 out of Rutgers and has spent time with the Lions, Bears, Saints, Redskins, Chiefs, and Broncos. He reunited with Sean Payton in Denver in 2023 and is back for his third season with the organization. The 33-year-old is primarily utilized as a pure blocker, but he has compiled 42 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns in 147 career games. He's hauled in 31 receptions for 196 yards and two scores as a receiver. In 2025, he could be blocking for a highly-drafted rookie running back like North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson.

Tuesday, June 3, 2:37 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell suffered a significant ACL tear at the end of his 2023 rookie campaign and was limited to just five games in 2024, logging touches in two contests. In his first season, the East Carolina product averaged a whopping 8.4 yards per carry on 47 rushing attempts, totalling 396 yards and two touchdowns. Had he not suffered a major injury, he could have entered last season as the clear RB2 behind Derrick Henry, but he'll get that chance again entering the 2025 campaign, and the 23-year-old is back to 100%. "I feel like I'm back better than when I first got here," Mitchell said. "I tell guys a lot that talk to me that I'm starting all over. They don't even know what I can do. I'm just starting all over again, proving what I can do and taking it day by day." While Henry remains the clear workhorse in Baltimore, he is entering his age-31 season and carries additional injury risk. In deeper setups, Mitchell and Justice Hill can be considered handcuff stashes, though Rasheen Ali will also have the chance to compete for a spot on the depth chart.